PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday issued a notice to the State government in a Public Interest Litigation filed by activist Kashinath Shetye, who has challenged the decision to regularise unauthorised structures under the Mhaje Ghar housing scheme.
The Bench gave the government more time to file its affidavit and adjourned the case to February 3, 2026. The petition argues that the scheme legalises illegal construction on Communidade, government, and private lands, and raises concerns about changes being made to land management rules.
Shetye moved the High Court last week against the Mhaje Ghar scheme and the recent amendments to the Comunidade laws. He says these changes weaken the traditional role of the Comunidades and promote illegality by legitimising houses built without proper permission.
The scheme, announced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, gives legal status to homes built before 1972 without occupancy certificates. Local bodies must issue these certificates within seven days on payment of a Rs 1,000 fee. The government says this will help families gain financial and legal stability and make future construction easier.
Shops built before 1972 are also covered. Ownership rights for houses constructed before February 28, 2014 will be given under Section 38A of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968. The benefit applies to structures on revenue land, alvara, mokaso and lease areas, as well as government and Communidade lands, for plots up to 400 sq m with an additional two-metre buffer.
